Apple just got granted a bunch of design patents for the iPad and iPhone 4, that also included a couple of design traits we hadn’t noticed before. 18 patents were granted and we learn that apparently they include an extra feat for the iPad: an extra landscape docking connector. Could this feat be coming to the iPad 2 in 2011?

This is the third time we’ve seen a design patent with Apple branding showing an extra landscape docking connector, after one spotted in China in September and a second in Europe last month. It’s the States’ turn to shine this month and maybe Xmas time will bring us extra leaked shots of the iPad 2.

There is no time to waste for the Cupertino giant, specially with Acer also readying a tablet with similar capabilities for Q1 2011. A minor teaser for the next gen iPad would be welcome at this point…